Police Warn Of Kidnap Hysteria

July 12, 1985|By Lynne Bumpus-Hooper of The Sentinel Staff

MERRITT ISLAND — When a member of a neighborhood watch organization heard on a police band radio that deputies were checking a ''suspicious person'' in the vicinity, he assumed the worst and went door-to-door, telling parents to be extra vigilant. Sheriff's spokeswoman Maude LaPlante said hysteria spread through the community like wildfire. People were spreading the rumor that deputies were chasing the suspect in two recent attempted kidnappings in Cocoa Beach.

The concern was unfounded. Deputies found nothing suspicious about the man they stopped.

Cocoa Beach police continued their investigation on Thursday but reported no new leads.

Police said off-duty Brevard deputies are volunteering for neighborhood night patrols and investigators are continuing to follow up all leads. Police received about 20 calls Thursday, some from people who think they saw the suspect and some from other police agencies that want to compare notes on the case.

The hysteria that can blossom around crimes like the attempted kidnappings is not helpful to police, parents or children, say LaPlante and Dr. Michelle Volland, child psychologist.

But Volland, a staff member with the Brevard Mental Health Centers, said beneficial side effects can result if the situation is managed calmly and logically.

If the child is old enough to be aware of the kidnappings, parents should allow the child to take part in checking outside windows or replacing light bulbs in safety lights, Volland said.

Don't scare the child, but tell the child that now is a time to be especially careful. If news reports frighten your child, talk about the situation and what precautions can be taken, she said.

LaPlante reported an increase in requests for home security checks and neighborhood watch programs because of the kidnapping attempts.

While residents should be concerned, LaPlante said the department cautions them not to become over zealous or to take matters into their own hands.

Anyone who notices a suspicious person or car in the neighborhood should call the sheriff's department or the police department immediately, she said. Getting a good description, including the license number, helps police check on the incident.

''But try to avoid the hysteria. It only causes more problems,'' LaPlante said.